Etymology In common use since at least 1654, of uncertain origin. Theories include: * that it is a shortening of rumbullion or rumbustion, names for rum also attested in the Caribbean during the mid-17th century, * that it derives from rummer, from Dutch roemer, * that it is from a Romani word for "strong, potent" which is (perhaps) the source of ramboozle and rumfustian (however, these drinks were not originally made with rum), * that it derives from rum ("fine, good") or from the last syllable of Latin saccharum (given the harsh taste of earlier rum, this origin is now considered unlikely)
1
A spirit distilled from various preparations of sugarcane, particularly fermented cane sugar and molasses.
... I went aboard the Fellowship of 100 and 70 Tuns a Flemish bottom, the Master George Luxon of Bittiford in Devonshire, several of my friends came to bid me farewell, among the rest Captain Thomas Wannerton who drank to me a pint of kill-devil alias Rhum at a draught ...1639 September 24, John Josselyn, Journal in An Account of Two Voyages to New-England... (1673), p. 24
That the former orders concerning rum, sugar, and hammocks be still in force, viz., one half to be forfeited to the King, and one half to the informer.1661 July 3, Orders of the Governor and Council of Jamaica in Colonial Papers: America and West Indies (1880), §123
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The Royal Navy used to issue a rum ration to sailors.
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A serving of rum.
Jake tossed down three rums.
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A kind or brand of rum.
Bundaberg is one of my favourite rums.
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A similar spirit distilled from similar preparations of sugarbeets, sorghum, etc.
"Lor, Noah!" said Charlotte, "What a rum creature you are! Why don't you let the boy alone?"1838, Boz [pseudonym; Charles Dickens], Oliver Twist; […], volume (please specify |volume=I, II, or III), London: Richard Bentley, […], →OCLC:
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[H]e stared after Pynsent stupidly, and pronounced to the landlord over the counter that he was a rum one.1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 27, in The History of Pendennis. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850, →OCLC:
The young men had exchanged few observations; but in crossing Union Square, in front of the monument to Washington—in the very shadow, indeed, projected by the image of the pater patriae—one of them remarked to the other, “It seems a rum-looking place.” “Ah, very odd, very odd,” said the other, who was the clever man of the two.1878, Henry James, An International Episode:
"Can't you see him?" "Well, I almost thought I did—for a moment. It's such a rum light."1951, C. S. Lewis, Prince Caspian:
"But you think he's right?" "Could be. They're rum birds, all right."1957, Sydney J. Bounds, The Robot Brains, London: Digit Books, page 35: